With our gardens slowing down over autumn and winter, now is the time to dig and divide your dahlias to make sure they keep safe from frost and rot, and to take the opportunity to multiply your plants for next year.
Come along to this practical workshop where we demonstrate how we dig, divide and store dahlias at Slow Blooms. You will get to ask all your dahlia-related questions, whether you're interested in growing from seed or taking cuttings, and also get your hands dirty and practice your skills with our guidance.
We will do a garden tour where we talk about how we grow our Slow Blooms, using sustainable permaculture techniques. We will also harvest seeds for you to plant at home. This is followed by a wholesome morning tea of freshly picked herbal teas from the garden, accompanied with sourdough bread and homegrown and homemade preserves. Best of all, you get to talk (obsess?) about dahlias as much as you like, with like-minded people!
You'll be given a selection of ten mixed dahlia tubers to take home, and you'll also be able to purchase named varieties at discounted prices (exclusive to workshop attendees). Please bring a small cardboard box or similar to carry them in.
FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS...
100% recommend Rebecka's Dahlia workshop! I was nervous on the day splitting her tubers but I found that I learnt a lot and when I came home to split my tubers I felt really confident! I love her workshops, highly recommend. Rachel
It was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed the class. Rebecka did a wonderful job of explaining + demonstrating each of the steps of dividing, as well as all the steps to prepare the tubers for digging up. She also covered lots of questions about growing, when to plant, etc. I have lots of really good information rattling around in my head now. Thanks so much! Victoria
I found the workshop very helpful. It was good to find that as an amateur grower, I had been doing everything right without doing any research on how best to look after the plants. I also now feel more confident splitting the tubers and can't wait for the weather to get warmer so I can start planting. Trish
Please bring a pair of secateurs and a strong knife that you don't mind getting dirty (see picture).
Dress for the weather - gumboots are recommended, as we will be digging and hosing.
Your teacher is Slow Blooms founder Rebecka Keeling. Rebecka holds a Permaculture Design Certificate, as well as a New Zealand Certificate of Horticulture. She is also the co-founder of Permaculture Mahurangi, and a passionate advocate for produce grown locally, in its natural season, with care for the earth.
